Athens, February 2nd, 2023
High Inspector of Justice Mr. Artur Metani paid a working visit to Athens, invited by the President of the Hellenic Council of State.
Having welcomed the guests, the President of the Council of State Mrs. Evangelia Nika, while making a presentation of the State Council of Greece, underlined that the exchange of experiences should continue, as it serves professional growth.
Mr. Metani appreciated the hospitality and made a presentation of the Office of the High Inspector of Justice work, as well as the practice for the disciplinary process in Albania.
Wishing to improve bilateral cooperation in exchanging the best practices for disciplinary investigations, inspections and in matters of mutual interest, Mr. Metani and Mrs. Nika signed a memorandum of understanding in respect of the common interest in guaranteeing the functioning of the rule of law, the independence of the justice system, as well as relying on the fact that the disciplinary process and the inspection of the justice system is one of the balancing mechanisms to ensure that the conduct of magistrates is based on the principles of independence, legitimacy, impartiality, aiming to increase responsibility and accountability.
The memorandum of understanding between the High Inspector of Justice of Albania and the Council of State of Greece provides, among other things, that the parties cooperate by exchanging information, practices and experiences related to all procedural aspects of conducting a disciplinary investigation and disciplinary proceedings against judges and prosecutors; by providing advice on best international practices and standards, including the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in the field of disciplinary proceedings against judges and prosecutors; by exchanging experiences on the methodology of conducting inspections and standardization of inspection procedures; by developing reciprocal internship sessions for employees, strengthening the knowledge, experience and capacities of the parties, through the organization of study and working visits, meetings on issues of common interest or joint training activities; by organizing joint seminars or conferences on important issues in the field disciplinary proceedings and inspections of judges and prosecutors.
During this working visit, the representatives of the Hellenic Council of State gave a presentation to the Albanian delegation on the practice for disciplinary process, the basic European standards for the disciplinary responsibility of magistrates; competent bodies and procedures for disciplinary proceedings against magistrates in Greece; disciplinary sanctions against magistrates and the relevant practice of the Council of State.
